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    The Smell of Other People’s Houses, by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock | Book Review

    Denise MealyBy Denise Mealy3 Mins Read Best Kids Stories Books with Girl Characters Teens: Young Adults
    The Smell of Other Peoples Houses, by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock Book Review
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    The Children’s Book Review | December 23, 2017

    The Smell of Other People's HousesThe Smell of Other People’s Houses

    Written by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

    Age Range: 12 and up

    Hardback: 240 pages

    Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (2016)

    ISBN: 978-0-553-49778-6

    What to expect: Coming of Age, Small town, Teen Life Issues

    This exciting debut by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock will attract adult and teen readers alike with its startlingly beautiful prose and heart-wrenching stories.

    THE SMELL OF OTHER PEOPLE’S HOUSES tells the stories of four teens in 1970’s Alaska. First is Ruth, a girl with no parents and a growing secret in her belly. Next is Dora, a strong young woman who escapes abuse and finds a place in a new family. Then there’s Alyce, a talented dancer who just might win a scholarship to college – if only she could let down her father and not help him on his fishing boat. Last is Hank and his two brothers, hiding on a ferry as they escape their mother and her boyfriend.

    All of these stories intertwine in unique and unexpected ways. Hitchcock’s writing has an inescapable pull that draws the reader in. The characters dance off the page, pulling you along by your heartstrings. Each has a problem of varying severity (missing out on a dance scholarship does not equate surviving abuse), but Hitchcock paints each character so truthfully that you’ll find yourself invested in each one’s struggle. After all, many teens could relate to either story, and missing out on your dreams can feel like the end of the world when you’re seventeen. What I found irresistible about this book was the voice. Each character was clearly defined and so sympathetic, that I found myself tearing through the pages and finishing the book in record time.

    An unexpected and phenomenal debut, THE SMELL OF OTHER PEOPLE’S HOUSES should be on everyone’s TBR list.

    Highly recommended.

    Available Here: 

    Text, logoBuy on AmazonLogo

    About The Author

     

    Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock was born and raised in Alaska. She worked many years fishing commercially with her family and as a reporter for Alaska Public Radio stations around the state. She was also the host and producer of “Independent Native News,” a daily newscast produced in Fairbanks, focusing on Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Canada’s First Nations. Her writing is inspired by her family’s four generations in Alaska.

     

    The Smell of Other People’s Houses, by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like The Smell of Other People’s Houses by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Books Set In Alaska, Coming Of Age, and Young Adult Fiction.

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    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock Books Set in Alaska Coming of Age Teens Wendy Lamb Books Young Adult Fiction
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    Denise Mealy
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    Denise Mealy is a former web content provider who stays at home to change diapers and write books. Her days are filled with Word documents, books and sloppy kisses (from dogs and baby alike). She likes to read, cook, dance, travel and forward pictures of spam sculptures to friends. If she could have dinner with any author, dead or alive, it would be a toss up between J.K. Rowling and Jane Austen. They would probably eat pasta. Yes, definitely pasta. For more information, visit: www.dccmealy.com You can also find her on Twitter: @dccmealy

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